State once again breaks record for most adoptions in year

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana's Department of Children and Families has again set a record for the most adoptions in a year, with more than 900 children finding permanent homes last year.

Citing a press release, the Advocate reports 912 children were adopted into permanent homes by 631 families from October 2017 through the end of September. That's up from the previous record of 771 foster children adopted by 548 families in 2017.

In addition to the foster children who were adopted, officials say another 2,332 children were reunited with their families after being taken into state custody, either returning home or to the guardianship of a relative.

Department Secretary Marketa Walters says permanency is their goal for children who enter foster care. Walters says that's a safe, stable and loving home, whether through adoption or reunification with their family.